EU Commissioner: The situation in Georgia is deteriorating at an alarming rate, and the 'Georgian Dream' country is moving away from democratic norms - The EU remains ready to take measures to hold human rights violators accountable

"The EU remains ready to take measures to hold human rights violators in Georgia accountable," stated Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, during her speech at the European Parliament, where the issue of "Media Freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli" was discussed.

Speaking about the situation in Georgia, the Commissioner noted that in recent months, journalists, civil activists, and opposition voices have faced harassment, intimidation, and politically motivated persecution, which is a tactic "clearly designed to silence dissenting voices and restrict democratic space."

She also addressed the state of the media in Georgia, stating that independent media representatives are targeted simply for "speaking the truth and giving a voice to the voiceless."

According to her, Mzia Amaghlobeli’s "case" is a symbol of the restriction of free expression, which is unacceptable in a country aspiring to EU membership, and she called for Amaghlobeli’s release.

Additionally, the Commissioner emphasized that Georgia’s European path remains open, but the government must choose to work toward it.

"As many of you have said, the situation in Georgia is deteriorating at an alarming rate, and the 'Georgian Dream' country is moving away from democratic norms.

In recent months, journalists, civil activists, and opposition voices have faced harassment, intimidation, and politically motivated persecution. Young demonstrators are receiving disproportionately harsh sentences. Independent media and political critics are being dragged through courts—a tactic clearly designed to silence dissenting voices and restrict democratic space.

This is not the behavior that we, the EU, and, more importantly, the citizens of Georgia expect from a country aspiring to EU membership...

Georgia’s European path remains open, but the Georgian authorities must choose to work toward it.

Media freedom is also under great threat. Independent media representatives are targeted simply for speaking the truth and giving a voice to the voiceless.

Mzia Amaghlobeli is one such journalist, imprisoned for her commitment to truth and justice. Her case is a symbol of the restriction of free expression. This is unacceptable in a country aspiring to EU membership, and we call for her release.

Independent journalism and broadcasting are vital not only for exposing injustice but also for countering the growing wave of disinformation about the EU spread by those in power. We firmly stand by Georgia’s independent media...

The EU remains ready to take measures to hold human rights violators in Georgia accountable," stated Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation.